We adopted a 2 year old black lab/ basset hound mix about 3 weeks ago. He's doing well with toileting but he is a crazy dog inside the apartment unless we have the prong collar on (exercise is not the problem, he goes to the beach and/or get 1 1/2 hours of walks a day). When the collar is not on, he barks at us, mouths/nips at us (he has good bite restraint; he will sometimes do this with the collar on but not as much), he runs around the apartment like crazy, gets into things, gnaws at things, jumps on us and the counters. When we tell him "no!" or "off!" it takes him a bit to respond and he does so with visible frustration (mouths the air, rolls around, barks). He will only calm down when we pet him. When the prong collar is on, he is more sedate, listens better for our training sessions, doesn't bark AT ALL, barely gets into things, and he hardly ever mouths. What is the deal with him (I know why the collar works) and will he ever be able to be calm without the prong collar on
2007-11-29 06:53:17 · 10 answers · asked by lizberks 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Maybe he resents the collar. I would they shoud count as abuse.
2007-11-29 07:01:57 · answer #1 · answered by melissa l 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Exerc8ise is part of the problem. " he runs around the apartment like crazy, gets into things, gnaws at things, jumps on us and the counters." Does that sound like a dog that's just been exercised? Uh, no!
"When we tell him "no!" or "off!" . Dogs don't unserstand English. They understand, through touch or eye contact what you want.
"it takes him a bit to respond and he does so with visible frustration (mouths the air, rolls around, barks). How do you tell him without words, that you don't like that behavior?
"He will only calm down when we pet him." He's got you trained. If you pet a dog while he's anything but calm, you simply re-enforce that behavior. By petting him when he snaps or barks, you're esentailly telling him that's a good thing. If you rubbed my belly everytime I screamed at you, why would I stop?
The prong collar represents a correction in the form of a bite. That's one of the way dogs correct eachother. Instead of using the prong collar as a negative tool, correct your dog by touching him someplace on his body that causes a reaction. The reaction you want is for him to stop the unwanted behavior. If he doesn't respond, you need to increase the intensity of the correction until he does respond but be careful. Never correct the dog by touching when you get angry or frustrated. You simply want to tell the dog, through your touch (remember they don't understand English) that you want him to stop acting that way. Really you're just telling your dog, "I'm not angry but you have to stop doing that and stop now!" Be consistent and calm when addressing your dog and remain patient. It will take some time but it works. And remember this, if you're not leading your dog, your dog is likely leading you. Good luck.
2007-11-29 15:16:47 · answer #2 · answered by PackLeader22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is just confused at who is NOW the pack leader. The prong collar works like the bite that a pack leader dog would give him to get him to submit. You need to make him know that YOU are now the pack leader. I'll give you a few tricks.
1) walking on a leash is IMPORTANT. Put him on a leash, and put him in a sit position. The walk starts when he is calm and you decide to start. Go out the door/gate ahead of him and keep him to your side or behind you. If he is out from, then he is the pack leader. IMMEDIATELY when he tries to get ahead or start for another dog, STOP him by pulling UP on the leash, not back. If he continues to try to lead, reverse your direction so that you are now in the lead. If he approaches another dog, put him in a sit position and make him stay there. Keep using the sit position to control, or refersing directions. He should learn pretty quickly that you will tolerate no misbehavior.
2) DO NOT pet or reward him with attention when he is bad. Push him down, stand up, ignore, leave the room.....whatever, but ABSOLUTELY NO, attention to bad behavior. Petting is for good behavior.
3) In extreme cases, because of bad behavior, push him to the floor on his side, put you hand in a claw position at his neck (feels like a dog bite) and hold him down until he calms. Some force will be required in some cases. But don't let him win once you start. When he can lay on the floor (without your hand on him) in a calm position he will have submitted to your authority. you will be recognized as the pack leader. Be sure you have help around if he is violent so you don't get dog bit. But this is what another dog will do to him to show who is the boss. And you have to be the boss.
good luck
see trainer:http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/
2007-11-29 15:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by Lyn B 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You really really need to work with a professional trainer as this situation is pretty out of control. He seems dominant and the prong collar seems to make him step back a bit and respect your authority. But it shouldn't be used in this way and it's become a crutch. Call your vet or local humane society and get a recommendation for a good one-on-one trainer who can work with you. I think your situation is more complicated than a class situation can handle.
2007-11-29 15:06:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is in desperate need of training as you already know.
Try a class or hire a trainer. This is all correctable behavior. Keep in mind that 3 weeks is not a lot of time for a dog to get used to his new home, owners and rules.
It just sounds like he has never been trained.
2007-11-29 15:10:05 · answer #5 · answered by maxmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The collar is not the solution, just a tool. You need to be training your dog to help him learn the behaviors you want,not just telling your dog what you don't want.
www.fearfuldogs.com
2007-11-29 16:51:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he is just in desperate need of training.
He's good when he knows you can enforce the rules (has the collar on).
It sounds like he's demanding attention though, he needs to realize that you are in charge and you decide when its petting time.
2007-11-29 15:05:23 · answer #7 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you training on your own or is this a class? If it's not a class, I would highly recommend one (and not from a pet store, but a reputable trainer!). There is hope for him, but it takes consistency and time.
Good luck!
2007-11-29 14:58:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd suggest a good obedience class for both of you; dog needs to know that YOU are in charge. Do you own / use a crate? If not get one...
2007-11-29 15:02:11 · answer #9 · answered by Karen W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to do some serious training with your dog. he is clearly trying to be in control and whether you realize it or not, you are letting him.
enroll that boy in some obedience classes and/or get with a personal trainer for him.
2007-11-29 14:59:01 · answer #10 · answered by bob © 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋